Thereâ€™s a difference between batshit crazy and eccentric. Itâ€™s a fine line but Badu manages to stay firmly on the right side of it. By every measure, 2008′s New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) should have been a total disaster.
Thereâ€™s the unwieldy title, the status as a â€˜concept albumâ€™, the big messy themes of urban violence, poverty and race relations. One couldnâ€™t help but anticipate an incoherent throwback to a bygone era where hip hop actually took these issues on with honesty and passion.

The cover art certainly evokes that period, with its retro aesthetic. And it cleverly makes the most of Baduâ€™s trademark afro to illustrate just how much the soul diva has on her mind. The Egyptian ankh, which represents life itself, sits at the centre. Around it we see a plethora of instantly recognisable symbols: pumped fists, satellite dishes, televisions, dollar signs and factories share space with malnourished babies, bees, flowers and peace signs.

The knuckle-dusters at the forefront spell out more than the albumâ€™s name – they represent her intentions. â€œTo my folks on the picket line, donâ€™t stop till you change they mindâ€ is just an indicative sample of the fighting words found throughout.

Itâ€™s a really cool cover that manages to take on big issues in a striking and cohesive fashion. Much like the music itself, which defied perceptions to become a major critical and modest commercial success. New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) represents a career high for the talented musician and image maker.

At the same time the album hit stores, the video for debut single Honey was released. It sees her fittingly paying tribute to some of the greatest covers ever made. Check the full video out here

Erykah Badu:New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)

Thereâ€™s a difference between batshit crazy and eccentric. Itâ€™s a fine line but Badu manages to stay firmly on the right side of it. By every measure, 2008′s New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) should have been a total disaster.
Thereâ€™s the unwieldy title, the status as a â€˜concept albumâ€™, the big messy themes of urban violence, poverty and race relations. One couldnâ€™t help but anticipate an incoherent throwback to a bygone era where hip hop actually took these issues on with honesty and passion.

The cover art certainly evokes that period, with its retro aesthetic. And it cleverly makes the most of Baduâ€™s trademark afro to illustrate just how much the soul diva has on her mind. The Egyptian ankh, which represents life itself, sits at the centre. Around it we see a plethora of instantly recognisable symbols: pumped fists, satellite dishes, televisions, dollar signs and factories share space with malnourished babies, bees, flowers and peace signs.

The knuckle-dusters at the forefront spell out more than the albumâ€™s name – they represent her intentions. â€œTo my folks on the picket line, donâ€™t stop till you change they mindâ€ is just an indicative sample of the fighting words found throughout.

Itâ€™s a really cool cover that manages to take on big issues in a striking and cohesive fashion. Much like the music itself, which defied perceptions to become a major critical and modest commercial success. New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) represents a career high for the talented musician and image maker.

At the same time the album hit stores, the video for debut single Honey was released. It sees her fittingly paying tribute to some of the greatest covers ever made. Check the full video out here

5 Comments

Chris:

OK, I can pick out the following covers from the video:

Some Diana Ross album I can't be arsed to look upFunkadelic, Maggot BrainNas, IllmaticDe La Soul, 3 Feet High and RisingBeatles, Let It BeMinnie Riperton, I Don't Know The Title and I Don't Give A ShitEric B. and Rakim, Paid in FullOhio Players, HoneyGrace Jones, Dunno The Title Cause I Really Don't Fucking Like Grace Jones

Some Diana Ross album I can't be arsed to look upFunkadelic, Maggot BrainNas, IllmaticDe La Soul, 3 Feet High and RisingBeatles, Let It BeMinnie Riperton, I Don't Know The Title and I Don't Give A ShitEric B. and Rakim, Paid in FullOhio Players, HoneyGrace Jones, Dunno The Title Cause I Really Don't Fucking Like Grace Jones

[...] acclaimed New Amerykah Part One (4th World War). Note: read the Sleevage post for that album here. On that cover, Emek focused on the â€œpolitics and social conditions in the world today, things [...]